European Union (EU) foreign ministers have agreed on a roadmap to ease sanctions on Syria after the fall of the former Syrian regime, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced during a press conference on Monday, Reuters reported.
The EU is currently imposing extensive sanctions on Syria, targeting individuals and key economic sectors, including a ban on oil exports and restrictions on access to global financial systems. However, European governments have reassessed their position following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in December by insurgent forces led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
With the change in Syria’s leadership, EU member states are eager to assist in the country’s recovery while maintaining leverage to ensure that the new authorities in Damascus respect fundamental rights and implement inclusive governance.
Kallas said the EU is taking a cautious and reversible approach. “Our aim is to ensure that easing sanctions aligns with measurable progress in governance and human rights in Syria,” she stated. “While we aim to move fast, the lifting of sanctions can be reversed if the wrong steps are taken.”
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani welcomed the decision in a post on X (formerly Twitter), calling it a “positive step.”
“We hope that this decision reflects positively on all aspects of life for the Syrian people and ensures sustainable development,” he wrote.
Ahead of the meeting, diplomats from the EU’s 27 member states had recommended giving priority to suspending sanctions in critical sectors including energy and transportation to facilitate reconstruction efforts.
Technical teams will now work on finalizing the details of suspending sanctions before the decision can be legally adopted. The EU has stressed that any progress in lifting sanctions will remain contingent on Syria’s adherence to international norms and human rights commitments.
The roadmap marks a significant shift in EU policy towards Syria, reflecting both the bloc’s strategic interest in stabilizing the region and its cautious optimism about the country’s new leadership.